EdgedThesis

All you people saying Video Games only affect the weak-minded... are you serious? So none of you have ever thought: "Hmm... I would want this, the honor and glory of fighting for good, the thrill"? From all the shooters and adventures you've played, you've never wanted to wield a weapon and enter a dangerous conflict? If so, you've been affected. If not, you're very dull. You have to admit that even on the smallest of scales, something like a video-game will affect your thoughts upon the subject of war.

Nathan has always tried to be the good guy.

Oh come on, man! I loved that movie. Not into awesome sci-fi? Or, Philip K. [bleep]'s other stories?

Currently reading The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner. It's insane. The first section is from the point of view of a mentally challenged man, and so there is no conception of time. Far past, past, and present run together upon the same page, differentiated only by subtle character changes and sometimes, if you're lucky, a signifier like italics. Next section is from the point of view of a suicidal man, and so similar problems occur. There is also a crapload of stream-of-consciousness writing as the person ponders his predicament. Several pages without punctuation--only idea after idea after idea. Exactly like how a person actually thinks. So far, it hasn't been bad.

This thread could be considered humans vs. animals. Humans vs. humans is a totally different thing. Humans are not on the same level as animals. I wish people would stop contrasting each other. What differentiates us? Sure, humans are completely aware of their situation, and once exploited, would know that they are experiencing something terrible. Animals aren't as smart, but they can still feel their conditions. I'm not talking about just cockfighting here, I know you'll bring up some counter about how roosters are well-fed and don't know they are being exploited. I'm talking about all forms of needless control upon animals that bring about pain.

It's supposed to parody every other superhero. But in this movie the characters themselves become what they are supposed to be parodying. (according to reviews) Terrible. I'll still watch it though.

If dominance is the prime source of a right to control or be cruel to something, wouldn't it extend over the weaker members of our own species? There are strong humans and weak ones. Based on the rights we have established, a stronger being can take advantage of another being for reasons other than pure survival. We don't eat each other because of health reasons, and easy transmission of prion disease, but other forms of exploitation are available. Bullying, slavery, etc.

The same place where you get the right to eat slaughtered animals. Unless you're a vegan who wholly defies exploitation of animals, you can't really ask that question. And that right comes from dominance. (just to answer his question) Right. And as we continue along this logical pathway, suddenly, Bullying is justified. Wars are completely valid. Things are allowed simply because they can be done. A fly buzzes near your ears, and you crush the insect. A man's habits grate upon your nerves and make you clench your teeth. Crush the insect. A nation has dissimilar policies, and resources that you want. It is weak, you are not. Crush the insect. Because you can.

For real? Two chickens dancing around, slicing each other up? Seems a little boring (the chicken-dancing)--and that boredom seems like it'd evolve into sadness (once a crippling strike is dealt, making one of the birds limp and bleed). Of course, I haven't watched a cockfight and don't really have a say in this area.

Lol, so because you think it's wrong makes it absolute? Should everything that happens in the world depend on your definition of what is right or wrong? You asked him for his thoughts. He gave them to you. Whether they are properly backed remains to be seen, but they are his thoughts and he did not label them as absolutes.

The organization is what I don't like. If two roosters are fighting in the wild then watch it all you like. But if you purposely put two together for the sole intention of watching them fight then I do think it's wrong. Understood. But from what I see, you have a problem with the pain they endure? From some of the replies I've read, unmodified cockfights are pretty harmless, the entertainment lying not in blood and gore but in the voluntary submission of one rooster or the other. I'm not sure if this submission is made out of pain, or if the rooster simply acknowledges that it is weaker than it's opponent. The answer to this question will make your opinion more definite (or, less).

If by performing you mean that the monkeys have to endure pain, yes that is bad. So, if a creature had a natural tendency to ritually punch itself in the face, would you be against exploiting the view? Cockfights happen no matter what, humans just make it structured and organized. Though again, we should stop cutting off parts of their bodies we deem 'inconvenient' and adding blades to their limbs.

If a God truly does exist, he would not want us pampered. He would allow terror and death to bury us, and we would then emerge stronger as a peoples. An all-knowing God would not allow us to fester in a stagnant world without challenges.

That emoticon seems less 'happy' than, say, 'trying to put out invisible fire while bearing a look that is incredibly dull'.

Criticisms are out. Apparently, the story's narration is terrible. No real character development. Damn. It truly is 'unfilmable'. Well, at least, in the conventional sense. The complete experience would come with the mini-movie with the Black Freighter frame story and the written background material about each of the heroes.

Funny you should say that. I'm quite sure arguments are still raging about whether we should extend human rights upon the more advanced of our primate cousins. They are self-aware and have several higher thought functions as we do. I wonder how many more arguments will come up when we create artificial intelligence or discover extraterrestrial sentience. If we come to conclusions as slow as we are now, I'm guessing there will be an Alien-aided Machine War beating upon our indecisive hides some time in the future.

Suicide booths. Have to slide three electronic prescriptions from three different doctors, fill out a couple forms, press a button, and let the knockout gas and incinerating flames wipe your pain from the Earth.

Halo, Halo, Halo. Even though the story-telling lapsed at times, the music was always brilliant. Epicity captured by orchestra... [yt]GLmKxAiKM2A[/yt] [yt]2O9K7E3lDRU[/yt]

^That Reservist option seems like a sweet deal. Same training? Perfect.

Well, seeing as there's no proof they have feelings, I don't see the problem... There is proof. They have the same pleasure centers, pain receptors, and other things that we do.

Such as... (I already know the answer, I'd just like to see what you know). Punctuated equilibrium model? Where accumulation of gene mutations only manifest in certain periods? I'm unsure. Confirmation?

Roosters are naturally aggressive as hell, right? A cockfight would pretty much be an organized duel. Similar to watching rhinos lance each other with their horns, elephants crossing tusks, and stags entangling antlers. Nature at work--quite a spectacle. Though when you introduce human elements like lethal knives and artificially streamlined fighters, some kind of line is definitely crossed.

Video games affecting people's opinion on war? Actually, no, it's not that dumb. How many times have you heard an eager soldier go 'Yeah, I just want to blow [cabbage] up' ? Several people have begun to see a 'romantic' and 'fun' side of war that some games (and other forms of entertainment) perpetuate. Sure, these people may not be too bright, but the effect of games is still present. If a county's military was in need of new soldiers, I'm sure a nationalistic, fun, and brutal video game is the way to go... EDIT: Oh, right, might as well help out the survey myself: 1) Do you think video games affect peoples opinion on war? Yeah. Everything we sense has an influence upon what we think, no matter how much we deny it. 2) If your country was attacked, would it make you join the army? I don't consider myself to belong to any one country. I cannot say my ideologies match up exactly with any nation upon the planet. So No. 3) Do you think there will be a World War 3 in your lifetime? Possibly. But hopefully we will be smart enough to know not to tamper with our nuclear weapons. Perhaps a global anti-ICBM Shield Network will be set up within or lifetimes. But, for the simple answer you need, I'll go ahead and say No. 4) What do you think you could do to prevent war? Become an expert on international law and politics, and maybe lay down some new rules altogether. Then again, I was never much into politics. Surely there will be several peace-invoking scientific discoveries waiting to be found by the researchers of my generation. 5) What do you think is the major cause of wars? Greed. Difference in beliefs. Unfounded passion. Any number of causes can launch a war. But it is rooted in the human tendency to desire and compete for such desires even when the only option open is war. 16, Male.

Bear hugs. Competitions of crushing strength, and all of that. >.> Normal hugs are fine too. I'm of sub-continental heritage, and it's commonplace in the culture. Though usually that social interaction is reserved for very close friends and family.

T-Rex paddock. Electrified Velociraptor cages. An Aviary. You missed these? Disappointing, guys.